e-AWB
An e-AWB (Electronic Air Waybill) is the digital replacement for the traditional paper Air Waybill. Adopted via the IATA e-AWB program, an e-AWB is exchanged electronically between the freight forwarder and the airline — typically via Cargo-IMP FWB/FHL messages or Cargo-XML — without producing a paper original.
e-AWB adoption is mandatory for many airlines on e-AWB-feasible routes (about 80%+ of global air cargo traffic). Benefits: faster acceptance (no waiting for paper), reduced data errors, lower handling cost (~$2.50 saving per shipment), better audit trail. e-AWB is the building block toward fully paperless air cargo (the IATA ONE Record vision).
The e-AWB removes the paper original from air cargo — the contract of carriage becomes a digital record exchanged between forwarder and airline. IATA has driven it toward becoming the default, cutting cost and delay and the risk of a lost paper AWB holding up a shipment.
electronic record
What is the e-AWB?
The Electronic Air Waybill — a paperless version of the AWB exchanged electronically (via Cargo-IMP FWB/FHL or Cargo-XML) between forwarder and airline, with no paper original.
Is a paper AWB still required?
Increasingly not — on e-AWB-feasible routes (most global air-cargo traffic) many airlines mandate the electronic waybill, part of the move toward fully paperless air cargo.